Document 150370

by Dr. Debra Price
medical dermatology
update
Questions and Answers
Melasma treatments
Q •Arc there any new treatments
• for melasma?
• Fractiona l laser skin resur• facing, also known as the
Fraxcl laser, recently gained FOA
approval for the treatment of
melasma. This unique laser techno!
ogy microscopically re~urface~ portions of the skin "ithout breaking
the skin's protective outer barrier.
Patients typically require three to
five treatment sessions to obtain
maximum benefits. The study that
provided the basis for FDA approva l
demonstrated marked improvement
of me lasma in 70 percent of
patients treated. The Prnxel laser is
also beneficial for overall skin rejuvenation and pigmentary problems
and is FDA-approved for the treat ment of periorbital wrinkles and
sun spots.
Acne zapper
I recently heard about a new
home device for treating
acne. Arc you familiar with the
device and if so, doel> it work?
The Zeno acne-deMing device
• recently gained FDA approval
for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne. The handheld
device delivers a precisely controlled,
low-level heat dose to the pim ple,
which causes the bacteria to selfdestruct. The regimen consists of two
October 2005 • Les Nouvelles Esthetiques
to three h'\'o-and-a-half minute treatment cycles in the span of J 2 to 24
hours. In the FDA trial, 90 percent of
blemishes treated had resolved or
faded within 24 hours.
Scaling between the third and
fourth or fourth and fifth toes
is most commonly due to
fungal infection.
Reduce large pores
Q•
Are there any therap ies to
reduce large pores?
While the re is no trea tment
• that is uniformly effective in
shrinking pores, GentleWaves LED
therapy and the fraxel laser can
lessen the appearance of porous
skin. The former affects the enzymes
that breakdown collagen and stimulates collagen production. The latter
technology causes microscopic thermal injuries to the skin, which stimulates collagen production without
inflicting a visible burn.
A•
telangiectasia or angiomas. However,
the~e vascular bions respond well to
laser thentpy.
Facial hypopigmentation
I heard that ant idandruff
• s ha mp oo can help facial
hypopigmentation. Is this true and if
so, how should it be used?
• Shampoos that treat sebor• rhea such as Loprox, Nizoral
and .dnc pyrithirone-based over-thecounter shampoos can also treat facial
seborrheic dermatitis. They are not
effective in treating vitiligo or atopic
dermatitis. They are also ineffective in
treating pityriasis alba, a common
cause of facial hypopigmentation.
Capillaries and dots
Are there any topical solutions for broken capillaries
and red dots?
• While there are several topical
ingredients that are beneficia l
in treating diffuse erythema (redness), there is no topical solution for
Ingrown brow hair
I have a recurring ingrown
hair in my brows. It just keeps
com ing back every time I tweeze it.
What's you r advice on how to get rid
of this problem?
continues
Page 177
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ned1call dermatology update
• The best treatment for ingrown hair is a combination
• of Vaniqa to decrease hair growth, Retin-A or Diffcrin cream to faci litate extrusion of the hair, and a topical
antibiotic to lessen secondary infection. The addition of a
low-potency topical steroid to decrease inflammation is also
sometimes helpflJI.
Pedi woes
Is dry skin on the feel or between toes always an
indication of a fungal in fect ion?
Sca ling between the third and fourt h or fo urth
and fi fth toes is most commonly due to fungal
infection. Scaling on the soles can also be a sign of fungal
infection. llowevcr, psoriasis dyshidrotic eczema or contact dermatitis can also cause scaling of the feet. A simple
microscopic exam inntion of the scales can be performed
in the derma tologis t's offi ce to determine if a funga l
infection i:. present.
A
Cancer label for cream
I have heard that the topical cream that my der• matologist prescribed to treat my dermatitis can
cause cancer. I disconti nued use when I heard about this
but, my dermatologist feels I should continue it. What
are your thoughts on that?
A•
Although there is no da ta from studies in human
patients prov ing this li nk, in February, the FDA
decided th at there was a plausible risk of lymphoma
fro m usc of Protopic o r El ide! crea m. They added a
black-box warning to the labeli ng. The American Academy of Dermatology opposed the black-box warning and
believes that these drugs arc safe, if used properly. You
should discuss the potential benefits and risks of continuing therap)' wit h your dermatologist. •
Debra Price, M.D. , gradua ted
ji·o111 New Yo rk University School
of Medicine aiJ(f intem erl at New
Yo rk Uni versity Medical Ce n ter.
She is 11 tliplo111ate of tile American Boord of Oen11ntology and is
an assistant professor at the Ulliversity of Minm i's deparunent of
der ma tology o nd crl tatii!O II S
s11rgery. An author of severn/ scientific papers, Dr. Price is nn award-wi11ning dermatologist
and past president of the Miami Dermatologic Society in
Florida. She has a private practice in Kendall, FL. To reach
her, please m/1 (305) 670- 1111.
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Les Nouvelles Esthet1ques • October 2005